, 1887-02-03

n lew days since we published an
extract from correspondence from
this city in the Bangor, (Me.) Wing
and Courier, and herewith we give an
other extract:
Spokane Falls is considered, with
good reason, To- be the coming metropo-
lis of the far northwest. Nature de-
signed town here, and richly en-
dowed the locality with all the things
required in the building of great
metropolis, Man is rapidly taking adj
vantage of what nature has done.
The place is on the western slope of
the Rocky mountains, fifteen hundred
and tllirty.seyen miles from Minnoapo-
lis, and nearly four hundred miles from
the Pacific ocean.
say that nature intended that
there should be great city ut this
point, and in order to make this state
mcnt clear, let II comparison be
made, as to situation and elements
of growth, with some we]l-known
cities. First, as to geographical posi-
ton. Although the altitude is 1900
feet above the sea, this country forms
part of II great basin, lying between
the Rocky mountains and the Cascade
mountains. TO the north, the east and
the southeast, are the Colvillc and the
Occur dAlene mountains, spurs OF the
Rockies, rich in mineral deposits, which
are just being opened and in which n
large amount of mining capital has
been profitably invested the past year.
To the west is the Big Bend country,
so-called because of the immense semi
circular curve described by the Column
bia river, embracing il, the arc an
area greater than Massachusetts,. Ex-
tending south, southwest and west for
about 100 niles, is one of the most fer
tile agricultural regions in the world.
The soil is of volcanic origin, deep,
rich and wonderfully productive.
In all directions, excepting to the
west and southwest, are large bodies
of pine, tamarack, fir and cedar, sufii-
cient for the needs Of the country for
generations to come. TO summarize
the location: Imagine n New Eng
land town with IL territory for
one hundred miles to the south, the
west and the northwest, an almost un.
broken body of agricultural and graz
ind land to the north, the east and
the south east, rich mineral belt, so
extensive as to be not yet fully eX-
plored, and interspersed with great
tracts of timber; and within the city
water power twice or three times
larger then Minneapolis and Lowell
combined, and one has II fair general
idea of the natural advantages of loca-
ton enjoyed by Spokane Falls. Butte,
Helena and Denver, all strong and
al H. i,,lN
on mining operations for their prosper
ity. Minneapolis, the municipal won
der OF the continent has splendid
water power, backed by agricultural
and timber districts. At Spokane Falls
is combined on an unrivalled scale,
each and all of these powerful factors
in city-making AGRICULTURAL, minerals,
timber and water power. No city has
a finer site. 1t lies in the valley of the
Spokane river, on II smooth gravel
plain of sufficient magnitude to ac-
commodate several hundred thousand
people. The river flows through the
town, falling within mile one hun
dred and tifty-five feet in IL succession
of tumultuous plunges over basaltic
rocks. AS yet the power is only par
TALLY developed, and the main part of
the river leaps and foams over the
rugged precipices in all it's pristine
splendor. The canyon below the falls
affords unsurpassed facilities for sew
erage, as the water runs swiftly for
eighty miles to the Columbia. The
river comes direct from the mountains,
clear, cold and pure, the best of water for
domestic purposes. The scenery is on a
magnificent scale. The Spokane
plains extend north and east of the
city from four to twenty miles. Be-
yond the valley are piled in sublime
beauty the grand old ranges OF the
Rocky Mountains, extending peak
after peak to the farthest limit of Wis
ion, until lost to view below the hori-
zon. From hill on the southern
edge of the town, rising boldly to II
height OF three hundred and fifty feet
above the buildings, snow-capped
mountain tops one hundred miles
away can be seen.